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Various agencies are examining sites across Delaware to see which could potentially be used as alternate care facilities. Footage courtesy of the Delaware National Guard Public Affairs. 3/31/20
Delaware News Journal

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Military and state emergency agencies have been surveying facilities across Delaware that can be used to reduce a potential burden on hospitals if there is a surge of people infected with the coronavirus.

Such facilities would be used for non-COVID-19 patients who are stable, allowing hospital staff to focus on the most critically ill, according to Delaware National Guard officials.

"What we're trying to do is, as hospitals are dealing with [COVID-19] infected patients, we're making sure we have facilities for patients that still need care, but are free from infection," said Capt. Joseph Kupina, the Delaware National Guard medical officer assisting the Delaware Emergency of Management Agency. "We're working with the Army Corps of Engineers, determining what they can provide and if we are able to meet medical requirements."

Capt. Joseph Kupina, Delaware National Guard Medical Officer assisting Delaware Emergency of Management Agency (DEMA), inspects the kitchen of one of the facilities the state said can serve as an alternate care facility in case state hospitals become overwhelmed by the pandemic.(Photo: Courtesy of the Delaware National Guard Public Affairs)

Teams from the Delaware National Guard, the state emergency agency and representatives from the Philadelphia District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers visited sites that could potentially be used as Alternate Care Facilities. These include:

University of Delaware's Delaware Fieldhouse, 621 S. College Ave., Newark.

Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Ave., Dover.

Kent County Recreation Center, 1683 New Burton Road, Dover.

Old Milford Memorial Hospital, 21 West Clarke Ave., Milford.

Old DSP Troop 7, 18006 Coastal Highway, Lewes.

Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

State and military agencies gather outside Dover's Modern Maturity Center, one of the sites the state said can serve as an alternate care facility in case state hospitals become overwhelmed by the pandemic.(Photo: Courtesy of the Delaware National Guard Public Affairs)

No facility had been chosen as of Tuesday morning.

"They would be similar to sites being opened in other states," said Jeff Sands, a DEMA spokesman. "We are working with the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and the hospitals on staffing solutions for these sites."

Agencies will begin mobilizing equipment this week to set up these facilities so that they can be used as needed, he said.

The Delaware National Guard will be a major supporter of these efforts, he said, adding that they continue to look at additional sites across the state as needed.

"So for example, if hospitals in New Castle County are facing a surge, then a facility may be opened there," Sands said. "And likewise throughout the state. We are constantly monitoring the health care system and evaluating the needs in order to provide the best possible support. "

While DEMA is the lead agency in the state's response efforts, the Guard and Army Corps of Engineers have subject matter experts with decades of experience from the civilian sector.

"I've spent my entire career in public health, and the Army Public Health Center," Kupina said. "It's nice to know I can utilize all of my expertise to support this mission and make sure the medical needs of Delaware citizens are taken care of."

This is just one of many initiatives currently underway in the state involving local, county, state and federal partners.

Delaware Gov. John Carney, on Monday, said the Governor Bacon Health Center, which cares for the chronically ill, has already started to move some of its patients into other facilities to clear up space.

Delaware is also considering using vacant hotels.

Delaware has about 2,000 licensed hospital beds in its hospitals, Carney said.